As people engage in sports or just age, the bones are injuries and just wear done causing orthopedic surgery.

In a study, marijuana use was associated with decreased mortality in patients undergoing total hip, total knee, total shoulder, and traumatic femur fixation, although the significance of these findings remains unclear. More research is needed to provide insight into these associations in a growing surgical population.

While still illegal in Alabama, the state’s researchers are delivering positive news about the cannabis. Scientists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham published a study showing that cannabis use was associated with decreased risk of death during medical procedures.

It is not something we are used to hearing. Cannabis users are less likely to die as a result of surgery. Really? Yes. In this case, it was an enormous body of data that was studied to come to this conclusion.

The hospital records of over 9.5 million patients were evaluated. All patients who had received one of five orthopedic surgeries over a four year period were identified as a sample. Over 26,000 of these patients were also identified as having cannabis use disorder. They became the subgroup and health outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RELATED: Disclosing Marijuana Use Before Surgery: What You Need To Know

The cannabis users were less likely to die in 4 out of 5 of the procedures. Although patients were considered to have substance use problems with the herb, it saved their lives. 

This is not the first time marijuana has been associated as a prophylactic, protecting against death. A University of Arizona study showed that cannabis users were 40% less likely to die in ICU following trauma than non-users. In yet another study from Colorado, the data from nearly 4 millions hospital records were examined. Researchers conclude that cannabis users were less likely to die after being admitted to the hospital. This was particularly true for cancer patients. Cannabis users were also less likely to have cancer.

Unfortunately, cannabis was associated with a greater risk of stroke while in the hospital as well. That will likely be a research avenue we will hear a great deal more about in the future.

RELATED: Southern Lawmakers Still Seem Apprehensive About Marijuana

Cannabis as a preventative measure to protect the patient is not a new idea. European studies have shown that mice given a single dose of THC, just one of the many active compounds in cannabis, were protected against traumatic brain injury. 

If we know that patients who use cannabis are less likely to suffer from brain injury and less likely to die in the hospital, is it that outlandish to forecast that one day people will use cannabis as a preventative? Considering the speed at which new, positive research is being published about cannabis therapy, many things that once seemed fantastical are on the table. The little plant called a weed simply refuses to concede.

People are starting to make pitstops to pick up their lottery tickets.  The “pot” is huge and people are willing to toss a few extra dollars to dream. Lines are long and the morning shows are asking “what would you do if you win”.  A hunt for the winner will follow and they will share they just want to do right by their friends and family.

Lotteries have a long history. Starting in ancient Rome and used in Renaissance Europe to raise money for churches and other government projects. They won acceptance in the US with the promise of helping with education funding. Marijuana use dates before lotteries as it was (and still is) used as medicine for things including pain and inflammation.

Sales of state lotteries in the United States reached approximately $107.92 billion 2021. A Powerball lottery set records, coming in at a whopping $1.6 billion. The industry is over 4 times the size of the marijuana market in 2021 where is was around $22 billion.  These two industries help you kick back, dream and chill.

Forty-five states have lotteries with Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah opting out.  For cannabis 23 states have recreation and 40 have recreational. Idaho, Nebraska, Indiana, Kansas and Tennessee so far say fully no to any legal marijuana. Interesting there is no crossover.

RELATED: Unlicensed Shops in NYC Are Doing Better Than The Naked Cowboy

Gallup polls have found that state lotteries are the most popular form of gambling in the U.S., with roughly half of respondents saying they purchased a lottery ticket in the past 12 months. it is affordable with prices as low as $1 or $2 per ticket.  About 66% of the population play the lottery at least once a year.  Almost 90% of the population believes marijuana should be legal and roughly 18% of the population use marijuana at least once a year.

Convenience store chain Circle K has been a leader in both cannabis and the lottery. They have been putting a structure in place where people are able to buy marijuana products along with cigarettes and snacks at gas stations. Now they announced they are partnering with Jackpocket, a third-party app that provides a secure way to order official state lottery tickets, for exclusive perks for lottery players.

RELATED: California or New York – Which Has The Biggest Marijuana Mess?

State Government are the big winners in both.  For lotteries, they take in about a third of each lottery jackpot.  In states where marijuana is fully legal, it has supposed alcohol tax revenue, despite selling fewer products.

While the money spent on lottery tickets give you the ability to perhaps dream of a different life (and for a very few – live the life), the purchase of legal marijuana allows you to chill or treat your medical issue every time.  Money well spent.

Dreu is the owner of VanHoose Hemp Co in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Born and raised in the DMV area (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia), Dreu VanHoose attended Drexel University, where she developed a fascination with plant science. Having endured chronic back pain, Dreu began researching plant cannabinoids and the human endocannabinoid system.

Upon moving back to D.C., where growing weed was legal at the time, she taught herself how to cultivate cannabis and began tending to her own set up, researching and absorbing every detail and best practice. When the Farm Bill passed in 2018, Dreu, whose grandparents live in Alabama, decided to begin growing cannabis on a 10-acre plot of land that she inherited from her family.

As she worked to obtain her cultivation license, Dreu became the recipient of the Young Farmers Grant, and continues to partner with HBCUs like Tuskegee and Alabama A&M to do cannabis cultivation research. Through her company, VanHoose Hemp Co., Dreu aims to do more than grow cannabis. Her goal is to advocate for and create a space for women, individuals with previous cannabis-related charges, disabled veterans, and others to flourish in the industry. “Our slogan is Real, Organic and Rooted, and like I say we’re real people,” she says.